ROCHESTER — The Highfield Commons development project off Washington Street is moving ahead, after the Planning Board accepted plans from the developer to start phase two of the project.

The multiphase project, previously approved by the Planning Board, is a Planned Unit Development (PUD), which allows the developer to work with city planners to come up with a site plan that’s outside of the city’s zoning ordinance regulations.

According to Matthew Peterson, project manager at Hillside Design Group LLC, 10 single family homes at Highfield Commons have already been constructed, and the 11th is currently being built. Of the homes already constructed, nine have been sold, and one is being rented.

On Monday, Peterson said the second phase of the project includes 12 “eight-plexes,” with each living unit having its own access and garage. The first part of the second phase, plans for which were approved by the Planning Board Monday, includes building the first two buildings, each having eight residential units.

Peterson said that when plans for the PUD were originally approved by the Planning Board, the second phase included four three-story buildings, with a total of 126 garden-style apartments. Now, the plans are proposing 96 townhouse apartments.

“This plan is a huge improvement over the original plan,” said Planning Board member Tim Fontneau.

According to Peterson, the project applicant is hoping to break ground on construction by June, and to have all 16 units occupied by the end of 2013. He said the townhouses will likely be rented for the first couple of years, and then be up for sale after the economy turns around.

The development would be located on Filmore Boulevard, which comes off Washington Street, in the area of 183 Washington St.

No residents gave input on the project during the public hearing session.

An alteration of terrain permit will be required for this project, said Peterson.